A mother exempt from wearing a mask to help communication with her autistic daughter has said she is afraid to leave home after being verbally abused while grocery shopping.
Louise Sharp was at the supermarket near the family home in Whitley Bay, near Newcastle, when another shopper approached and called her “selfish” for not wearing a face covering.
Ms Sharp tried to explain that she was exempt in order to speak easily with her daughter, who is on the autism spectrum and would become distressed if unable to fully see her mother’s face, and has a panic and anxiety disorder herself.
The incident caused Ms Sharp to suffer from a panic attack, and she has not been “to any shop since”.
Today she urged the public to be more understanding of people with exemptions from wearing masks.
Ms Sharp told BBC Newcastle: "I haven't been to any shop since, not once, I don't have the confidence.
“It's not right, I now feel under lockdown more than before.
"People feel they've got the authority to question anyone… Please understand there are exemptions and respect those exemptions."
The government made wearing a face mask inside shops and other enclosed spaces in England from 24 July.
But exemptions are in place for children under the age of 11, any person unable to wear a mask due to a physical or mental illness, or a disability. Anyone for whom wearing a face covering will cause “severe distress”, and anyone assisting someone who relies on lip reading.
Similar pleas for understanding of exemptions have been made by charities in recent weeks.
Earlier this month a Canadian mother told the media about her disappointment over her family being asked to leave a Disney Store in Ontario because her six-year-old autistic daughter was not wearing a mask properly due to sensory issues.
